I.J. Ready and Colin Borchert hit free throws down the stretch Saturday to help Mississippi State pull away late with a 76-72 win over Ole Miss.More >>

I.J. Ready and Colin Borchert hit free throws down the stretch Saturday to help Mississippi State pull away late with a 76-72 win over Ole Miss.More >>

STARKVILLE, MS (RNN) - After a few close calls early in the second half, Mississippi State broke away and dominated the rest of the game, handing Florida Gulf Coast a 66-53 loss.

The Bulldogs (8-2) faced some early struggles as the Eagles (5-6) kept the game close and managed to grab a one-point lead more than five minutes into the game.

Mississippi State grabbed the lead after that and held on; at one point, they led by as many as 15 points. They also led in field goals (46 percent) 3-pointers (36 percent) and free throws (58 percent).

Craig Sword scored 17 points and I.J. Ready made 12 to help give the Bulldogs their third straight win this season.

Mississippi State will travel to Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday to take on the South Florida Bulls in the first round of the Las Vegas Classic.